Myra J. Powell, MSW, ACSW, has over 25 years of practice experience, twenty with a local department of social services in both adult and child welfare direct service delivery, case management, supervision, division management, and administration. She worked for 5 years in university social work academia, conducting public welfare-related training and research, as well as teaching undergraduate and graduate programs. She founded Vanguard Professional Staffing in 1999.
Myra J. Powell
Kim D. Harrell, has over 30 years of DSS experience. She has worked in adult services and 15 years of supervisory experience in child welfare. Kim was a Director for a consolidated county DSS for the last 18 years of her DSS career. As a DSS Director in a consolidated agency, her work experience spans both the DSS and the Health Dept. agencies. She has served as President of the NC Director's Association and has chaired many state committees throughout her tenure.Kim D. Harrell
Denise Boyette
Denise Boyette, BSW, worked for a county department of social services for 27 years as a social worker, supervisor, Child Welfare Program Manager, Social Work Program Administrator, Deputy Director, and Interim Director. She worked in and managed all aspects of Child Protective Services, continuous quality improvement/training team, as well as Adult Services, Work First/employment, and adolescent parenting programs. In addition to her direct case work and supervisory/management experience, she also has a high level of experience in grant writing, personnel policy, and local agency budgeting.
Debbie Price Longo, BSW, ACBSW is a Training Coordinator. She worked for a county department of social services for over 24 years as a social worker, supervisor, Child Welfare Program Manager. She has been a trainer and educator since 1998 and has trained social workers in child protection for the State of North Carolina. She worked in protective services with abused children, adopted children, and foster children and their families, as well as family planning, domestic violence, rape and incest counseling. She is a certified MAPPS/GPS trainer. She has managed staffing in multiple states and urban and rural settings.Debbie Price Longo
Tara Weller
Tara Weller assumed recruiter duties in May 2018, after 3 years administrative assistant to both our business office and placement team. Prior to that, she spent 11 years in the educational field. Her organizational and communication skills aid in identifying and screening qualified candidates and assisting job seekers, as well as overseeing the company's day-to-day business operations.
Michael Allman joined us as our Administrative Assistant in January 2020. He has retired from 48 years of background in the plastics industry, mostly in a technical/supervisory/administrative capacity. Having been at the forefront of the businesses that he has served, he has developed an overall understanding of business office essentials. This background also brings an organizational and communicative skill set which serves to enhance the overall experience of our clients.Michael Allman
Sharon J. Bartholomew has years of administrative experience in private business and public health. Her primary role is the communication with, and validation of, candidates who apply with Vanguard.Sharon J. Bartholomew
